Introduction:
Uzziah, also known as Azariah, was a prominent king of Judah whose reign is noted for both prosperity and tragedy. His account is primarily found in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Uzziah's reign is marked by military success, architectural achievements, and a tragic downfall due to pride.

Name and Identity:
Uzziah, meaning "The LORD is my strength," is also referred to as Azariah, meaning "The LORD has helped." This dual naming is common in the biblical narrative, reflecting different aspects of his character and reign.

Reign and Achievements:
Uzziah became king at the age of sixteen and reigned for fifty-two years in Jerusalem. His reign is recorded in 2 Kings 15:1-7 and 2 Chronicles 26. Uzziah is noted for doing "what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kings 15:3), following the example of his father Amaziah.

Under Uzziah's leadership, Judah experienced significant military and economic prosperity. He fortified Jerusalem, built towers, and developed advanced military equipment, including engines designed by skillful men to shoot arrows and large stones (2 Chronicles 26:15). His fame spread as far as the border of Egypt, for he became exceedingly strong.

Uzziah also focused on agricultural development, digging many wells and promoting livestock and farming, which contributed to the prosperity of Judah. His reign is characterized by a period of peace and stability, allowing for these advancements.

Religious Life and Downfall:
Despite his successes, Uzziah's reign ended in tragedy due to his pride. In 2 Chronicles 26:16, it is recorded that "when he was strong, his heart was lifted up to his destruction." Uzziah entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar, a duty reserved for the priests, the descendants of Aaron. This act of presumption led to his downfall.

Azariah the priest, along with eighty other courageous priests, confronted Uzziah, warning him that he had trespassed against the LORD. In his anger, Uzziah was struck with leprosy, a condition that remained with him until his death (2 Chronicles 26:19-21). As a result, he lived in a separate house, and his son Jotham took over the governance of the people.

Legacy:
Uzziah's reign is remembered for its initial faithfulness and subsequent prideful fall. His account serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of pride and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. Despite his tragic end, Uzziah's contributions to Judah's military and economic strength are notable, and his reign is often seen as a time of great prosperity for the kingdom.

Uzziah was buried in the field of the burial that belonged to the kings, for they said, "He is a leper" (2 Kings 15:7). His legacy continued through his son Jotham, who succeeded him as king.2 Kings 14:21
And all the people of Judah took Azariah, which was sixteen years old, and made him king instead of his father Amaziah.
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2 Kings 15:1,2
In the twenty and seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel began Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah to reign.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 26:1,3
Then all the people of Judah took Uzziah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in the room of his father Amaziah.
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The Kingdom Op Judah.
... armed, and the people were shown their little king. ... age, leaving his son Uzziah,
also called Azariah, to succeed ... Uzziah met with such success at first, that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson vii the kingdom op.htm

The Call of Isaiah
... the sanctuary "to burn incense upon the altar." Azariah the high ... surprising that
when, during the last year of Uzziah's reign, Isaiah was called to bear ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 25 the call of.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... land of Yaudi." It has been customary to identify this king with Azariah (Uzziah)
of Judah ... the existence in northern Syria of a state called Yaudi, perhaps ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph, had called Him Elohim ... neither Amaziah (2 Kings
14:4) nor Azariah (2 Kings 15 ... similar conduct on the part of Uzziah is recorded ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... reckon from the last year of Uzziah, and some ... Hebrew canon to the third division,
called Hagiographa. ... three companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, "in the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Appendices
... in Assyria, 2 years 727 Ulula, called Shalmaneser IV ... 871 Jeboram 846 Ahaziah or Jehoahaz
842 Athaliah 842 Joash 837 Amaziah 797 Uzziah or Azariah 768 Jotham ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Who was King Uzziah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between exegesis and eisegesis? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Jotham in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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